(Greencastle, Ind.) Putnam County officials announced today that there are currently 84confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county. The Putnam County Health Department reported that as of May 7, 52 people have recovered from the virus.

National Nurses Week and Teacher Appreciation Week. Nurses and teachers have been on the frontlines supporting our communities during this pandemic. Please recognize or thank the nurses and teachers in your life during their national appreciation weeks.

It is imperative individuals take action to avoid COVID-19 to prevent its spread. A number of preventive steps include:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Throw the tissue in the garbage and make sure to clean your hands afterwards.

Stay home when you are sick.

Wear face coverings in public when performing essential duties.

We are all in this together.

Putnam County is providing regular updates on COVID-19 to citizens as part of its effort to complement the daily updates from the Indiana State Dept. of Health. The updates can be accessed via www.coronavirus.in.gov.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 911

Our Hospital

More COVID-19 testing is coming to Putnam County May 13. OptumServe will offer FREE tests starting Wednesday to high-risk Hoosiers showing symptoms of COVID-19 or in direct contact with someone who has the virus. Visit https://pchosp.org/testing-site-opens-may-13/ to learn who should be tested. Registration is required at https://lhi.care/covidtesting or (888) 634-1116. Please note that with the increase in testing, it’s possible that the number of cases in the county will increase.

Effective April 2, 2020 at 6 a.m., Putnam County Hospital will enact a no visitor policy to protect patients and the hospital community from COVID-19. The hospital will be establishing ways for families and loved ones to communicate with patients, including designated apps and shared tools for patients who do not have access to personal technology devices. The hospitalist and leadership will apply their discretion to special circumstances involving minor children accompaniment and end of life care, to ensure patients, their families and loved ones are cared for in the most compassionate way during this time.